UC uprating 2020

Hello,

This year, the Government has announced that from the 6th April 2020, on top of all the usual benefits (Tax Credits, DLA, ESA AND indeed PIP) Universal Credit rates, are increasing after the four year freeze.

On top of that increase, there is also an announcement that due to Coronavirus/Covid19 Pandemic, the ‘standard’ allowance of Universal Credit will be raised by £1000 a year for the next 12 months.

The DWP have stated to the media
"the increases to Universal Credit standard Allowance and working tax credit will come into force from 06th April 2020" and that " the raised amount should kick in automatically for everyone who is eligible, meaning that you shouldn't need to do anything if you’re entitled to more money"

Universal Credit has today let me know that I will only receive the uprated rates from the 25th April 2020. As per last year, they have stated to me that this is because uprated amounts are only payable to claimants from the “first day of the claimants full assessment period which follows the date that uprating comes into force".

Example:
My assessment periods

25th Feb 2020 to 25th March 2020 - (paid on the 31st March 2020 –I am paid old rates of standard allowance and all other elements within Universal Credit)

25th March 2020 to 24th April 2020 - (paid on the 31st April 2020 - I am paid old rates of standard allowance and all other elements within Universal Credit

25th April 2020 to 24 May 2020 - (paid on the 31st May 2020 - I should be paid new rates of standard allowance and all other elements within Universal Credit.


This is what happened to me last year on all my payable elements within Universal Credit. Uprated rates of standard allowance for the period 06th April 2020 to the 24th April 2020 were not payable to me including uprated amounts for standard allowance, Housing element, LCWRA, child element. This is despite my rent increasing from the 1st April 2019.
It meant that I lost out on money with no opportunity to appeal. I let it go as the new rates did eventually kick in from June 2019.

The question i have is: is this correct?

I have searched for legislation which might cover this thorny issue, but I am unable to find anything specific that I may be able to use to challenge the DWP. I would appreciate any suggestions?

I will obviously not be receiving the coronavirus standard £1000 annual increase as stated in the press.
By my calculations, I will likely be receiving in the region of £937.51. I will ask for a mandatory reconsideration but am left dumbstruck when they say
‘your payments are correct; uprated amounts are payable from the first day of the claimants full assessment period which follows the date that uprating comes into force".

My apologies for the long post,
Appreciate any assistance

klian

Gordon

Thank you for assisting.
That makes 'absolute' sense to me now!

You have clarified it in a sentence
I just wish the DWP could have explained it like you did.

klian